Store-service apparatus.



F. D. POWELL.

STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23, 1912.

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F. D. POWELL. STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 23, 1912.

2 SHEE%SHEET 2.

1 997,560, Patented May 19, 1914.

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FRANK I). POWELL, 013 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LAMSON COM- IE'ANY, (FORMERLY LAMSON CONSOLIDATED STORE SERVICE COMPANY) OF BOS- TON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 23, 1912.

Patented May 19, 1914.

Serial No. 716,746.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK D. POWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suifolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Store-Service Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

his invention relates to store service apparatus for transferring cash, or other articles from point to point over a track, the carrier traversing said track having an impulse imparted thereto by a motor spring which is manually first placed under tension and then automatically rel-eased.

A device of this general description is disclosed in the patent to E. C. Phillips, Pat. No. 913,97 5, granted Mar. 2, 1909, and the herein described invention, in certain of its aspects, embodies improvements over the patented construction in question. The said improvements are principally concerned with what is described in said patent as the trigger carriage, and the operating mechanism therefor.

These and other objects of my invention will be hereinafter more fully discussed and the novei elements and combinations of elements whereby said objects may be attained will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, I have exemplified a preferred construction. I am aware, however, that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of my invention and 1 hence desire to be limited only by the scope of said claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of apparatus of the type in question, the carrier being at rest. Fig. 2 is a similar view, a portion of the trigger carriage being broken away for purposes of illustration. In this view moreover, the carrier is shown substantially immediately after its release from its catch. Fig. 3 is a detail of the motor spring and its fork. Fig. 4 is a detail section, drawn to an enlarged scale, the section being taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on line VV of Fig. 2.

The track 1 in the present instance is a taut wire; a carrier 2 being mounted thereon in a well known manner. This carrier may comprisethe usual body 3 and box or receptacle 4; the extremities of the body being adapted for hooking engagement with a catch 5, as indicated in Fig. 1.

- The latch or catch 5 is preferably pivotally mounted as at 6; having the form of a bent lever so that a portion 7 thereof projects upwardly to constitute a trigger. I prefer to aperture the portion 7 as at 8 to permit of the insertion therethrough of a wearing sleeve 9 for the track wire. The extremities of this sleeve are secured in any suitable manner in the walls of the trigger or latch casing or frame 10 in the interior of which is disposed the bent lever aforesaid. The casing 10 hence rides upon the line wire or track but is not wholly sup ported thereby, the upper portion of said casing being provided with lugs or cars 11 between which is mounted a wheel or roller 12 which rides upon a tubular rod or support 13. The latter extends parallel to the track, being provided at its inner extremity with a socket 14; the latter in turn being pivctally connected, as at 15, to a preferable goose-necked bracket 16. The outer end of the tube 13 carries a fork 17 upwardly projecting from the central portion or hub of which are lugs 18. Between these lugs is pivoted a socket 19 into which is screwed or otherwise suitably connected a brace rod or stay 20. This rod extends obliquely back and up toward the upper extremity of the goose-neck of the bracket 16, being adjustably connected thereto by a clamp 21. The latter preferably consists of a block aperturcd for the reception of the goose-neck and provided with a set screw 22 for clamping it in place thereupon; said block being correspondingly apertured to receive the rod 20 and having a second clamping or set screw 23 for the same.

It is desirable that some means, such for example as that just described, be provided for adjusting the height of the extremity of the fork-carrying tube or rod 13 since the line wire or track may be more or less inclined to the horizontal and the rod 13 should be maintained substantially parallel thereto in order that the trigger shell or frame may be moved unrestrainedly toward and from the fork. The tube 13 is slotted for a considerable portion of its length, preferably along the under side thereof as at 24 and a lug or extension 25 at the forward end of the trigger shell 10 projects up through this slot, as best shown in Fig. 4. Extension 25 is so shaped as to conform somewhat to the interior of the tube, but is spaced therefrom and is slot-ted for the reception of a roller 26; the latter being mounted upon a pin 27 to permit of free rotation thereof. The face of this roller is preferably arcuate in cross section to adapt it for engagement with the interior wall of the tube, so that the lug together with its roller is substantially circular in transverse median cross-section. Sufiicient clearance is provided of course between this structure and the tube to permit of free movement of the trigger shell longitudinally of the tube, but it will be observed that this construction while in no way interfering with the longitudinal movement of the shell, nevertheless affords adequate means for preventing the latter from swiveling laterally out of parallelism with the tube and track wire. The lug 25 also affords an abutment for a compression spring 23 within the tube; said spring preferably being helical or coiled and nominally extending almost the entire length of the tube so as to practically obviate the likelihood of its taking a set after being in use for some time. Spring 28 it may be here noted is of merely sutficient strength to insure the return of the trigger shell to its outer position when released and to hold it against inadvertent displacement when the carrier is being latched. The inner nd of said spring presses against a block 29 in the rear end of the tube, said block and tube being conveniently held in place in the socket 14 by a flat pin or cotter 30, which latter is made removable to permit of access to the spring when desired. In this preferred construction, owing to the fact that the trigger shell is constrained to move in close parallelism with the tube 13, the importance of providing means for ad justing the tube, andhence the shell, with respect to the line wire becomes at once apparent. The spacing of the pivoted connection 15 at the rear of the tube from the axis of a shaft 31 of the track tightening device, hereinafter referred to, determines the proper distance between the tube 13 and the track or line wire, so that but the single adjustment above referred to sufli es to dispose the several previously mentioned parts in proper relationship,

Adjustably mounted upon tube 13 is a sleeve 32 which is clamped in position by a screw 33, or the like, said sleeve carrying a forwardly projecting part 34. This latter may, if desired, be separable from the sleeve; being connected thereto by a screw 34. The

upper edge of part 34 is adapted to enter the slot 24 of tube 13 so as to accurately center it for engagement with the trigger 7 when the latter is drawn back into contact therewith. Hence while the sleeve together with the trigger engaging part 34 may be moved longitudinally of the tube 13, they are held against rotation. The part 34 further acts as a spreader for the slot in the tube.

The trigger is at all times within the casing, but the recess in the latter in which this member is disposed opens rearwardly so that the nose of the part 34 may enter for engagement with the trigger, as shown in Fig. 2. A small spring 33 normally urges the trigger outwardly and thereby the catch upwardly into its latching position.

An elastic sling or motor spring 35, which may be of well known construction is carfied by the fork 17, and the carrier may be provided with the usual extensions or hooks 35 to adapt it for engagement with said spring.

Secured to the trigger case to the rear of the catch proper is a buffer 36 of rubber or the like which is adapted to receive the impact of the carrier when being driven toward said case.

The goose-necked bracket 16 is preferably pivotally mounted upon a stud 37 which projects upwardly from the end of a wall bracket 38, the latter in the present instance being of pipe fittings and sections which extend out from a base 39. The pivotal mounting of the bracket 16 affords means for automatically disposing the parts carried thereby in the vertical plane which passes through the line wire or track since the extremity of the latter is wound upon a ratcheted drum 40 mounted upon the shaft 31. Setscrews 41 may be used to lock the bracket 16 against rotation on its stud, if desired. The ratcheted drum 40 is held against rotation by the tension in the line wire by a pawl 42, and it is evident of course that thereby the tautness of the wire track may be adjusted to a nicety. The journals for the drum shaft 31 are preferably merely slots in the walls of the bracket 16, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5; the drum entering the re cess 43 provided therefor in said bracket; said recess also receiving the pawl and the pivoted end of the socket 14.

Below the drum and preferably in the same plane therewith, is a pulley 44 around which passes the cord 44 which is used to pull the trigger carriage to the rear. One end of this cord is secured to the shell 10, as at 45 and the other end carries the usual handle 46; the cord passing over an idler 47 mounted in the lower portion of said shell.

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming that the carrier is in latching engagement with the catch 5, the handle 46 is menace drawn down thereby pulling the trigger shell and the carrier toward the pulley a l, and thereby stretching the motor spring 85. When the trigger 7 engages the part 34, the catch is unlatched and the carrier is impelled along its track in a well known manner. The position of the part 34: along the length of the tube 13 obviously determines the tension in the motor spring at the moment of release. When the handle 46 is freed or the pull thereupon is lessened, spring 28 advances the trigger carriage to its outer position preparatory to receiving a carrier which may be driven theretoward. The provision of the tube engaging part or roller 26 steadies the carriage in its longi tudinal movement along the tube both when being drawn back and when being impelled by the spring 28. In any case all tendency to bend or kink the line or track wire is eliminated and the action of the device is rendered smooth and regular, while the wear on the several parts, and particularly the track wire, is reduced to a minimum.

In certain of the appended claims the support for the trigger frame, comprising the tubular rod 13 and its socket 14, are re ferred to as in parallelism with the track. It is to be understood of course that that portion of the track adjacent the carrier projecting apparatus is referred to, since in practice the track wire may thereafter follow a devious line which may extend in various directions.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and set forth a construction embodying the same, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a frame for the latter having a portion thereof in engagement with said track, a support for said frame, means for holding said support parallel to said track, manual means for retracting said frame, means for propelling said frame forwardly when released, means for releasing a carrier from said latching device, and a motor spring distinct from the propelling means aforesaid for projecting said carrier along said track when released, said frame having guiding means co-acting with said support for forcing the frame to travel in strict parallelism with said support and track.

2. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a frame for the latter, a tubular support for said frame out of alinement with said. track, means for holding said support parallel to said track, manual means for retracting said frame, means for propelling said frame forwardly when released, means for releasing a carrier from said latching device, and a motor spring for projecting said carrier along said track when released, said frame having means in engagement with the interior of said tubular support for forcing it to travel in parallelism with said support and track.

In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a frame for the latter, a tubular support for said frame, means for holding said support parallel to said track, manual means for retracting said frame, means for propelling said frame forwardly when released, means for releasing a carrier from said latching device, and a motor spring for projecting said carrier along said. track when released, said frame having means in engagement with the interior of said tubular support for sustaining a portion of the weight thereof.

4L. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter, and means for guidedly moving said carriage in substantial pa allelism with said track, said means including a slotted tubular support extending parallel to said track and a structure, carried by said carriage, which extends through the slot in said support into the interior of the latter, said carriage extending from said support toward said track.

5. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter, and means for guidedly moving said carriage in substantial parallelism with said track, said means including a slot: ted tubular support extending parallel to said track, a part, carried by said carriage, which extends through the slot in said support into the interior thereof, and a roller mounted on said part and adapted for engagement with the inner wall of said tubular support.

6. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter, and means for guidedly moving said carriage in substantial parallelism with said track, said means including a slotted tubular support extending parallel to said track, a structure, carried by said carriage, which extends through the slot in said support into the interior thereof, and a spring in said interior adapted to co-act with a portion of said structure, for displacing said carriage with respect to said support, said carriage extending from said support toward said track.

7. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a t 'ack, a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter, and means for guidedly moving said carriage in substantial parallelism with said track, said means inclndinga slotted tubular support extending parallel to said track, a part carried by said carriage, which extends through the slot in said support into the interior thereof, and a roller mounted on said part and adapted for engagement with the inner wall of said tubular support, said wall being curved and the face of the roller in contact therewith being rounded to substantially fit said wall.

8. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter, means for guidedly moving said carriage in substantial parallelism with said track, said means including two rollers adapted for engagement therewith, said rollers being mounted on said carriage and being spaced apart from each other in the direction of the length of the latter, said sup port extending adjacent and parallel to said track, and a motor spring out of alinement with said support and when operative eX- tending substantially parallel thereto.

9. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter, and means for guidedly mov ing said carriage in substantial parallelism with said track, said means including a support and two rollers adapted for engagement therewith, said rollers being mounted on said carriage and being spaced apart from each other in the direction of the length of the latter, and said support extending adjacent and parallel to said track, one of said rollers being in engagement with the outside of said support and the other with the interior thereof, the support being hollow.

10. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter, a tubular support for said carriage extending parallel to said track, a coiled spring in said tubular support for returning said carriage toward one end of said support when displaced therefrom, and a motor spring, also carried by said support, for propelling carriers away therefrom.

11. In store service systems, an apparatus for projecting carriers which comprises a track, a carrier latching-device, a carriage for the latter having a portion thereof in engagement with said track, a support for said carriage extending out of alinement with but parallel to said track, a spring carried by said support for returning said carriage toward one end of said support when displaced therefrom, and a motor spring, also carried by said support, for propelling carriers away therefrom.

12. In store service systems, a track in combination with apparatus for projecting carriers thereover which comprises a carrier latching device, a carriage for the latter hav ing a portion thereof in engagement with said track, a support for said carriage, a bracket for sustaining said support from one end thereof, a brace between a portion of said bracket and substantially the other end of said support, and means for adjustment whereby said support may be disposed parallel to said track to permit of free move ment of said carriage longitudinally of said support.

13. In a store service system, a track in combination with apparatus for projecting carriers thereover which comprises a carrier latching device, a frame for the latter, a support for said frame, means for effecting a relative movement between said support and said frame, a bracket for directly sustaining said support from one part thereof, a brace between a portion of said bracket and another part of said support, and means for adjustment whereby said support may be disposed parallel to said track.

14.. In a store service system, a track in combination with apparatus for projecting carriers thereover which comprises a motor spring, means for imposing stress upon said spring, a part of said means being movable parallel to said track, a guiding support for said part, a bracket for directly sustaining said support from one part thereof, a brace between a portion of said bracket and another part of said support, and means for adjustment whereby said support may be disposed in parallelism with said track.

15. In a store service system, a track in combination with apparatus for projecting carriers thereover which comprises a motor spring, means for imposing stress upon said spring, a part of said means being movable parallel to said track, a guiding support for said part, a bracket for directly sustaining said support from one part thereof, a brace between a portion of said bracket and another part of said support, and means for adjustment whereby said support may be disposed in parallelism with said track, said support where directly sustained by said bracket being pivotally connected thereto.

16. In a store service system, a track in combination with apparatus for projecting carriers thereover which comprises a motor spring, means for imposing stress upon said spring, a part of said means being movable parallel to said track, a guiding support for said part, a bracket for directly sustaining said support from one part thereof, a brace between a portion of said bracket and another part of said support, and means for adjustment whereby said support may be disposed in parallelism with said track, said support where directly sustained by said bracket being pivotally connected thereto, and said track also being connected to said bracket.

17. In a store service system, a track in combination with apparatus for projecting carriers thereover which comprises a motor spring, means for imposing stress upon said spring, a part of said means being movable parallel to said track, a guiding support for said part, a pivotally mounted bracket for directly sustaining said support from one part thereof, a brace between a portion of said bracket and another part of said support, and means for adjustment whereby said support may be disposed in parallelism with said track, said track also being connected to said bracket.

18. In a store service system, a track in combination with apparatus for projecting carriers thereover which comprises a carrier latching device, a frame for the latter, a support for said frame, extending in substantial parallelism with said track, means for ei'fecting a relative movement between said support and said frame, a part of said means being in engagement with a relatively forwardly disposed portion of said carrier to facilitate outward movement of said can riage by said means, and means for retracting said frame against the action of said first mentioned means.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK D. POWELL. itnesses N. L. DONAI-IUE, E. L. WELLINGTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

